Progressive Form

Question

Please would anyone explain why the progressive form was used in here?:
"I should be thanking you! It should be the other way around."

Also, this one, "Shouldn't be taking so long." . The situation is that a guy is waiting for something to happen. Thanks in advance!

Cool Breeze · Accepted Answer

The use of the progressive form underlines the fact that "I" should thank "you" right now, at this very moment. The simple form sounds equally good to my Helsinki English ear, though.

New Zealanders and Memphians may disagree, of course!

CB

CalifJim · Answer

BamtoriPlease would anyone explain why the progressive form was used in here?:
"I should be thanking you! It should be the other way around."

Also, this one, "Shouldn't be taking so long." . The situation is that a guy is waiting for something to happen. Thanks in advance!

If the subject is animate, you can think of the progressive as adding the idea "in the act of".

I should be in the act of thanking you, not you in the act of thanking me, as you are now doing (or as you have just been doing).
_______

Both in that case and in the second one, something is happening at the very moment the speaker is talking about it happening.

(It) shouldn't be taking so long implies that it is taking too long. Whatever is being done seems to the speaker to be dragging out longer and longer. He finds that unreasonable and is getting impatient as he is waiting.
______

Contrast these to the corresponding simple forms which may imply a future action:

I should thank you. (at some time in the future, quite soon or later)
It shouldn't take so long. (when you decide to do it at some time in the future)
It shouldn't take so long. (whenever it is done, it is to be expected that it won't take so long)

CJ

Bamtori · Answer

Thank you guys both! Your explanations are so clear I have no more questions about it. ?????! m(_ _)m

Progressive Form

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